Dirtsman’s Classic ‘Hot This Year’ Gets Modern Spin in Phillip Smart Tribute Project

Over 30 years after the tragic shooting of late dancehall artiste Dirtsman, his legacy is being revived through a tribute project honoring the late producer Phillip Smart. Producer Dwayne “Deenucka” Johnson, who helped bring the iconic track back to life, shared: “Handling a track with such a rich legacy and cultural impact was both daunting and exciting.”

Dirtsman’s classic ‘Hot This Year’ gets modern twist

Over three decades after the late dancehall star Dirtsman made waves with his 1992 anthem “Hot This Year,” the iconic track is being reignited by New York rapper Maino. Originally produced by the late Phillip Smart, the song cemented its place in dancehall history, especially among New York’s Caribbean community.

Dirtsman, whose real name was Patrick Thompson, was the brother of renowned deejay Papa San. His promising career was tragically cut short in 1993 when he was killed by four gunmen.

Now, the legendary track gets new life on an 8-track tribute project honoring late reggae producer Phillip Smart. Maino’s modern take is featured prominently, produced by Dwayne “Deenucka” Johnson, Michael McDonald, and Ian Clough of C&I Jah Bless Records.

“Handling a track with such a rich legacy and cultural impact, especially one produced by Phillip Smart, was both daunting and exciting. It was important for me to respect the original while also bringing my own flavor to it. The pressure to honor Phillip's work served as motivation to ensure that the new version connected with both long-time fans and new audiences,” says producer Dwayne “Deenucka” Johnson.

Reflecting on the collaboration with Maino, Johnson added, “It came about through mutual friends in the industry who saw potential in our styles blending together. We connected over a shared vision, and after a few brainstorming sessions, we decided to create a new version that would pay homage to the original while infusing our unique perspectives. It was a seamless process from the start, driven by our passion for the music.”

“Maino was completely involved in the creative process,” he added. “He brought his ideas to the table and contributed significantly to the direction of the new version. His insights on the flow and energy were invaluable in shaping the final product to reflect our combined vision.”

Reviving a classic like “Hot This Year” comes with the challenge of honoring its legacy while giving it fresh appeal. For the team behind the new version—especially with rapper Maino on board, it meant finding the right balance between nostalgia and innovation.

“In this case, the goal was to maintain the original essence of the track produced by Phillip Smart while simply adding Maino's contribution. We wanted to honor the iconic sound without introducing new elements,” shared Johnson.

“By keeping the arrangement and feel intact, we ensured that the new version stayed true to its roots, allowing Maino's voice to blend seamlessly with the original track, ultimately preserving the nostalgia while enhancing it with a fresh feature,” he explained.